vitaminporter
New Member
Hello,
I just joined the forum and have a load of questions to ask. To start, I am coming to Biarritz from American at the very end of April. It sounds like I can take a bus from the airport to Bayonne and then a little train to SJPDP. I arrive in the afternoon and plan on getting from the airport to SJPDP in a single day. Can anyone tell me if this is practical? After that I plan on walking to to Roncevalles either the next day or after a day spent in SJPDP (I would prefer the second option). My concern is starting from France the Friday before May 1 and the holiday crowds once I reach Spain and start looking for a bed. Advice? Beyond that there is a list of general questions such as:
water (some swear by bottled, I would prefer to avoid the expense and waste but dont want to get sick)
csj guide (how helpful is this, really?)
km/day (I guess this is up to each of us...I am 35 and in good physical shape, planning on average 25k/day.)
rest days (how many in a month? Better cities than small towns so you can find cheap lodging?)
days in SdeC (how long do you really want at the end?)
pilgrims passport/credencials (can I pick these up in SJPDP without trouble?)
sleeping bag (sounds like a must!)
sleeping mat (would love to NOT have to bring)
food buying/cooking (is this done at he end of each day, plan on making a meal each night, breakfast in the morning and eating lunch along the way?)
refugio protocol (just what are these places actually like?)
renfe v. iberia discount (I would like to take a train back to France rather than fly, does RENFE give discounts to pilgrims as well, and how early do you need to make arrangements?)
staying in S de C (where? I heard a rumor about the palace there...)
clothes rotation/washing (every day?!)
diet (whats good along the trail...starches?)
pre-training walks (what % of estimated weight, what % distance, every day?)
private lodging v. refugio (it appears there are some days I must stay in private lodging, what can I expect in terms of prices and what are the real differences between that and a refugio?)
Okay, so thats a lot I realize. Maybe too much, but these are the questions I have so far. Meanwhile, I am happy to introduce myself and would enjoy writing with anyone else who has experience with the Camino or will be walking in May.
I just joined the forum and have a load of questions to ask. To start, I am coming to Biarritz from American at the very end of April. It sounds like I can take a bus from the airport to Bayonne and then a little train to SJPDP. I arrive in the afternoon and plan on getting from the airport to SJPDP in a single day. Can anyone tell me if this is practical? After that I plan on walking to to Roncevalles either the next day or after a day spent in SJPDP (I would prefer the second option). My concern is starting from France the Friday before May 1 and the holiday crowds once I reach Spain and start looking for a bed. Advice? Beyond that there is a list of general questions such as:
water (some swear by bottled, I would prefer to avoid the expense and waste but dont want to get sick)
csj guide (how helpful is this, really?)
km/day (I guess this is up to each of us...I am 35 and in good physical shape, planning on average 25k/day.)
rest days (how many in a month? Better cities than small towns so you can find cheap lodging?)
days in SdeC (how long do you really want at the end?)
pilgrims passport/credencials (can I pick these up in SJPDP without trouble?)
sleeping bag (sounds like a must!)
sleeping mat (would love to NOT have to bring)
food buying/cooking (is this done at he end of each day, plan on making a meal each night, breakfast in the morning and eating lunch along the way?)
refugio protocol (just what are these places actually like?)
renfe v. iberia discount (I would like to take a train back to France rather than fly, does RENFE give discounts to pilgrims as well, and how early do you need to make arrangements?)
staying in S de C (where? I heard a rumor about the palace there...)
clothes rotation/washing (every day?!)
diet (whats good along the trail...starches?)
pre-training walks (what % of estimated weight, what % distance, every day?)
private lodging v. refugio (it appears there are some days I must stay in private lodging, what can I expect in terms of prices and what are the real differences between that and a refugio?)
Okay, so thats a lot I realize. Maybe too much, but these are the questions I have so far. Meanwhile, I am happy to introduce myself and would enjoy writing with anyone else who has experience with the Camino or will be walking in May.